Community Community BUQ GM of Katara organises inaugurates P6Tarahi P16 painting Mushaira exhibition at Skills ‘Reverence of Development Tranquility’ by Centre. Zarmik Haladjian.

Thursday, April 4, 2019 Rajab 28, 1440 AH

Doha today: 220 - 290

All-rounder

Mohammad Salman Abedini, aka Romeo, uses words, colours and music to share philosophy of life. P4-5

COVER STORY

REVIEW SHOWBIZ

A mix of excitement with De De Pyaar De is Ajay’s emotional connection. new venture. Page 14 Page 15 2 GULF TIMES Thursday, April 4, 2019 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

PRAYER TIME Fajr 4.04am Shorooq (sunrise) 5.24am Zuhr (noon) 11.38am Asr (afternoon) 3.07pm Maghreb (sunset) 5.53pm Isha (night) 7.23pm

USEFUL NUMBERS Project Ghazi team of dedicated scientist Zara Iftikhar (Syra Shehroz) and DIRECTION: Nadir Shah distinguished soldiers Major Zain (Sheheryar Munawar) and CAST: Sheheryar Munawar, Humayun Saeed, Syra Shehroz Salaar Salahuddin (Humayun Saeed) along with other people, SYNOPSIS: The fi lm revolves around a team of scientists they try to stop the rogue men, little do they know that a and soldiers aiming to produce a new breed of advanced major disaster is headed their way. weaponised soldiers code named Project Ghazi, until a Emergency 999 group of rogue men try to seize the project. United with a THEATRES: Royal Plaza, The Mall Worldwide Emergency Number 112 Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991 Local Directory 180 International Calls Enquires 150 Hamad International Airport 40106666 Labor Department 44508111, 44406537 Mowasalat Taxi 44588888 Qatar Airways 44496000 Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222, 44393333 Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation 44845555, 44845464 Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 44593363 Qatar Assistive Technology Centre 44594050 Qatar News Agency 44450205 44450333 Q-Post – General Postal Corporation 44464444

Humanitarian Services Offi ce (Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies) Ministry of Interior 40253371, 40253372, 40253369 Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364 Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365 Shazam! Shazam revels in the new version of himself by doing what any Qatar Airways 40253374 DIRECTION:David F Sandberg other teen would do – have fun while testing out his newfound CAST: Zachary Levi, Michelle Borth, Djimon Hounsou powers. But he’ll need to master them quickly before the evil SYNOPSIS: We all have a superhero inside of us – it Dr Thaddeus Sivana can get his hands on Shazam’s magical just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In 14-year-old Billy abilities. Batson’s case, all he needs to do is shout out one word to transform into the adult superhero Shazam. Still a kid at heart, THEATRES: The Mall, Royal Plaza, Landmark ote Unquo u te Q The wisdom The Mall Cinema (1): Lucifer Royal Plaza Cinema Palace of the wise and the (Malayalam) 2pm; Romeo. (1): My Hero Academia: Two Akbar. Walter.(Raw) (Hindi) Heroes (2D) 2:15pm; Shazam! experience of the ages are 5pm; Pet Sematary (2D) (3D) 4pm; Shazam! (2D) 6:30pm; perpetuated by quotations.” 7:15pm; Romeo. Akbar. Walter. Akbar. Walter.(Raw) (Hindi) 2pm; Shazam! (2D) 9pm; Shazam! — (Raw) (Hindi) 9pm; Lucifer Shazam! (2D) 4:30pm; Shazam! (2D) 11:30pm. Benjamin Disraeli (Malayalam) 11:15pm. (2D) 7pm; Pet Sematary (2D) Royal Plaza Cinema Palace The Mall Cinema (2): Dumbo 9:30pm; Pet Sematary (2D) (2): Project Ghazi (Urdu) (2D) 2pm; Shazam! (2D) 4pm; 11:30pm. 2:15pm; Romeo. Akbar. Walter. Shazam! (2D) 6:30pm; Shazam! Landmark Cinema (2): Lucifer (Raw) (Hindi) 00:4pm; Lucifer (2D) 9pm; Shazam! (2D) (Malayalam) 2:15pm; Natpe (Malayalam) 6:30pm; Pet 11:30pm. Thunai (Tamil) 5:15pm; Lucifer Sematary (2D) 9:30pm; Romeo. The Mall Cinema (3): (Malayalam) 8pm; Lakshmi’s Ntr Akbar. Walter.(Raw) (Hindi) Lakshmi’s Ntr (Telugu) 2pm; (Telugu) 11:15pm. 11:30pm. Community Editor Argentina Fans Kaattoorkadavu Landmark Cinema (3): Royal Plaza Cinema Palace Kamran Rehmat (Malayalam) 4:45pm; Project Shazam! (2D) 2pm; Dumbo (2D) (3): Lakshmi’s Ntr (Telugu) e-mail: [email protected] Ghazi (Urdu) 7:30pm; Uriyadi II 4:30pm; Romeo. Akbar. Walter. 2:15pm; Dumbo (2D) 5pm; Telephone: 44466405 (Tamil) 9:15pm; Natpe Thunai (Raw) (Hindi) 6:30pm; Shazam! The Smile (2D) 7pm; Uriyadi Fax: 44350474 (Tamil) 11:30pm. (2D) 9pm; Uriyadi II (Tamil) II (Tamil) 9pm; Natpe Thunai Landmark Cinema (1): Romeo. 11:30pm. (Tamil) 11:15pm. Thursday, April 4, 2019 GULF TIMES 3 ROUND & ABOUT COMMUNITY

Impana Jayaraj and Nihal Tauro, Kannada Additional services include dance playback singers, will also attend the event. education, choreograph music videos and dance cover albums, choreograph dance Ballet Lessons musical projects, corporate workshops and WHERE: Music and Arts Atelier events, choreograph events for schools, WHEN: Ongoing colleges, alumni meets and corporate TIME: 4pm – 8pm and choreography events. For details, call For more info e-mail at registration@ 33897609. atelierqatar.com or call on 33003839.

HEC Paris Info Session WHERE: 14th fl oor, Tornado Tower WHEN: Today TIME: 5pm – 6:15pm HEC Paris invites you to the next Information Session of its International Executive MBA. Learn more about this world-class executive programme. Discover the international diversity of participants, blended learning and international mobility options. Find out how it will help you transform yourself and your career. Arabic Calligraphy Workshop WHEN: Saturday – Wednesday EVENTS Artistic Gymnastic Classes Cycling: Losail Circuit Sports Club TIME: 6pm WHERE: Qatar Academy Msheireb WHERE: Losail Circuit Arabic Calligraphy workshop is back. MIA Park Bazaar 2019 WHEN: Ongoing WHEN: Ongoing Come and learn the artistic practice of Arabic WHERE: Museum Of Islamic Art TIME: 3:15pm – 4:15pm TIME: 5pm handwriting and calligraphy at Music and WHEN: Ongoing The olympic sport using horizontal bar, Losail Circuit Sports Club, in association Arts Atelier. TIME: 12pm – 8pm rings and fl oor exercises on mats for the with Qatar Sports For All Federation, invites The lessons will take place every Saturday, MIA Bazaar has a vibrant mix of 350 children from age 4 till 16. all cyclists, runners and walkers to train under Monday and Wednesday at 6pm. For stalls. MIA Park Bazaar is a modern version the fl oodlights of Losail International Circuit more information, contact registration@ of the old souq tradition. The stalls off er a every Wednesdays. atelierqatar.com wide range of gastronomies from all over the world. You can also browse and grab handcrafted artefacts, accessories, canvases, fashion wears, designer ornaments.

QISH Autism Walkathon WHERE: Al Bidda Park WHEN: Tomorrow TIME: 3:30pm – 5:00pm In support of World Autism Awareness initiative, Qatar Institute for Speech and Hearing conducts ‘4th Autism Walkathon – to ‘Help Increase Understanding and Acceptance’ near the Theatre in Al Bidda Syria Matters Exhibition Park. WHERE: Museum of Islamic Art WHEN: Ongoing till April 30 TIME: 9am – 7pm Dance and Instrument Classes Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) in Doha WHERE: TCA Campus, Behind Gulf Times presents a major exhibition, co-curated by After School Activities Building MIA Director Dr Julia Gonnella and Rania WHERE: Atelier WHEN: Wednesday – Monday Abdellatif, as part of the MIA ten-year WHEN: Ongoing Learn the movements of dance styles in anniversary celebrations. Music and arts activities for students Bollywood, Hip Hop and also the musical taking place after they fi nish their day in instruments such as Piano, Guitar, Keyboard school includes Group Music lessons, Hip- for adults as well kids and move in the world hop, Ballet, Drawing and Painting, Drama of music. For details, contact 66523871/ Theatre & Taekwondo. Ages between 5 and 10 31326749. years old after school hours.

Hobby Classes WHERE: Mamangam Performing Art Centre WHEN:Wednesday – Monday Mamangam Performing Art Centre, is a Ladies and Children Talent Search holistic performing arts institution and a one WHERE: Sapphire Plaza Hotel stop solution for adults as well as children It’s My Right WHEN: Tomorrow looking to explore their talents in various WHERE: Qatar National Library TIME: 4pm art forms. We off er classes in contemporary, WHEN: Today Karnataka Sangha Qatar is set to celebrate Bollywood, hip hop, indian classical dance, TIME: 4:30pm – 6:30pm the Ladies Talent Search and Children’s music (Hindustani and Carnatic), arts and Young adults have rights just like everyone Talent Search. Susmita Pattnaik, President of craft, karate, yoga, percussion( Chenda, else. Come hear what your rights are and how Indian Women’s Association will be the chief Thimila, Elathalam and Madhalam), violin, you can stand up for them. guest at the event. Prema, Indian actress, and harmonium, public speaking.

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change 4 GULF TIMES Thursday, April 4, 2019 COMMUNITY COVER STORY “Art is the simplest way to explain philosophy of life” — Mohammad Salman Abedini, aka Romeo, artist

By Mudassir Raja

here are few people who simply follow their dreams and desires in life. Monetary motivation and eagerness to excel in a certain profession are the trails that the majorityT follows. Mohammad Salman Abedini, who goes by the adopted moniker Romeo, has the grit to follow his dreams. The 28-year-old Iranian is gifted with a creative mind and is a versatile artist, fast making his name in painting, poetry, music and fi lmmaking. Born and brought up in Qatar, Romeo’s father is from Iran and his mother from India. He is at home in Persian, Hindi/Urdu, and English. His creative works speak volumes of his philosophy of life — Sufi sm. Recently Community caught up with Romeo to get to know more about the man and his art. Romeo is the name he was given by his class fellows when he was in a college in India. “They used to call me Romeo, maybe, because of my temperament and interest in creative activities. I used to take interest in subjects related to art more than other subjects like pure sciences.” His father works with a government organisation in Qatar. He has one older brother and two younger sisters. “All my other siblings are in the medical fi eld. I am the only one who took after art, poetry and music. I studied in India and did my bachelors in English Literature.” It was not in his college that he got attracted to creative arts. He started getting fascinated by poetry and Sufi sm when he was only 12. “In my home, I saw a poetry book of Khwaja Shams- ud-Din Muhammad Hafez-e-Shirazi, known by

I could never understand subjects like mathematics, chemistry and physics. I was interested in sketching and painting and my teachers used to ‘ encourage me ’ Portrait by Ram Chand Thursday, April 4, 2019 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

MULTIFACETED: Clockwise, Romeo’s profiles as a poet, script-writer/filmmaker, guitarist/singer and painter. Photos supplied his pen name Hafez. It is a classic book with heavy vocabulary. It “We make made me curious about Sufi sm — simple things the way humankind loves God. This also led me to read other Persian complicated poetry books. I also started writing romantic poetry. This is how I and vice versa. started writing poetry.” Romeo sometimes fi nds it I observe our diffi cult to express his feelings society. I pen and emotions through poetry. His feelings then fi nd an expression down my in painting. “When I felt short of words to express my inner observations in emotions, I would start painting. I would use colours instead of words poetry. I see that to say whatever I wanted. This all in today’s world, was happening in my teens.” The young artist did not stop we have lost our with painting and writing. The creative traits in him also led him to innocence — the music. “When I was 16 or 17, I and my brother bought our fi rst guitar. child in us. We It was a time when everybody used are following to carry a guitar even they did not use to play. It was a kind of fashion. materialistic I used to follow Gypsy Kings and other pop music groups. I used to desires. May be, play well-known pop songs. we have killed “I actually started playing guitar Colours of universe Scream for my mom. She really loved the child inside” Bollywood and classical Hindi own thoughts about Sufi sm. It is only about voice but it is not. The “Let me tell you truth it is not songs. When I went to India for “For me, art is the simplest way about just being honest to oneself voice should be controlled. Singing easy to carry along all these creative studies, I started attending my to explain the philosophy of life. I and being in love with God. The is like controlling a wild horse. You strains. However, I think and plan to music and guitar classes there. try to paint philosophy. My art work book also refl ects my experiences of have to control your voice to fi nd a make my name in the fi eld of movie Since then, I have been creating my is symbolic and abstract. I mostly living away from my country.” rhythm. making because it can include all own themes and playing guitar. use acrylic colours.” The young poet fi nds it amazing “I write my lyrics and compose my creative talents. I plan to have The artist continues to follow his As far as his poetry in Persian how human beings use complicated my own music with my guitar. a theatre play in Qatar bringing creative urge. goes, Romeo has published a book language to express their feelings. I have taken part in some people of all nationalities together.” “Art is my fi eld and I knew and is working on two more books “I do not know it is our weakness competitions in Qatar. I sing in all Romeo believes the real value of it from the beginning. I could simultaneously. Malodi-e-Baran or strength. We make simple things three languages — Persian, Hindi living in Qatar is realised only when never understand subjects like (Music of Rain) is the name of his complicated and vice versa. I and English. There was a music one visits some other countries. mathematics, chemistry and fi rst book. It is an anthology of observe our society. I pen down my competition in connection with “You feel how blessed you are to be physics. I was interested in modern Persian poetry. observations in poetry. I see that the maiden concert by (Pakistani in Qatar and have all kinds of basic sketching and painting and my “People in Iran really like poetry in today’s world, we have lost our maestro) Rahat Fateh Ali Khan in facilities. There is peace, security teachers used to encourage me. as a genre. They prefer poetry over innocence — the child in us. We are Qatar in 2016. The organisers had and good environment. It is safe for Painting has become a kind of short stories or novels. My book following materialistic desires. May the competition as a promotion. I women and kids. medication for me — connecting was published in my native area be, we have killed the child inside.” won the fi rst prize.” “As an artist, I see Qatar as a with God. As far my paintings of Bandar Abbas in Iran in 2017. It The musical side of this creative He is also adept at writing movie perfect place to be. The country go, I have taken part in two group was quite an amazing experience individual is no less shiny. He scripts, directing and acting in has all required facilities. You have exhibitions in India and one in Iran. for me when I saw how much love learnt the fundamentals of music fi lms. “I have also made a short to work hard. You need to have the I am now planning to have a solo my book received from the readers. in India. “Practice is necessary. movie in Qatar. It is a symbolic passion to move forward. There are exhibition in Qatar. In the book, I have expressed my Many people think that singing is movie with a lot of philosophy in it. opportunities for all art genres.” 6 GULF TIMES Thursday, April 4, 2019 COMMUNITY BUQ organises poetry symposium

Bazm-e-Urdu Qatar (BUQ) recently organised including Ahmad Ashfaque, Ajmal Bishami, Tarahi Mushaira at Skill Development Centre. Shahid Sultan Azmi, Zareef Mahar Baloch, Sabih Bukhari, Chief Patron of BUQ, presided Raquim Azmi, Ruwais Mumtaz, Azeez Nabeel, over the event. Ishtiyaq Ahmad, was the chief Shafeeque Akhtar, Shaukat Ali Naz, Yousuf guest Mansoor Azmi, renowned poet from Kamal, Mansoor Azmi, Ashfaque Deshmukh, India, the guest of honour. Nadim Zafar Jeelani Danish, Ejaz Haider, Asif Mansoor Azmi, is a famous ghazal poet. His Shafi, Rashid Alam Rashid and Athar Azmi. works also include some humorous and Speaking on the occasion, Ishtiyaq Ahmad satirical poems. He has been participating in said, “We must to stand in the society with BUQ programmes since 1993. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan’s dreams and we Ahmad Ashfaque, General Secretary of must construct schools and help other BUQ, compered the event. The event kicked schools as we can develop ourselves and off with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an our community only with education. It is by Abdul Kareem, which was followed by a solution for our problems. Today we are the introduction of Ishtiyaq Ahmad’s book backward because a major part of our Sir Syed Ahmad Khan to the audience. community is illiterate and doesn’t want to Ahsfaq Deshmukh also recited Hamd on the learn. Sir Syed came to give us something occasion. rather than taking anything from us. The poets were given a line to compose He played a big role and we all must be their poems or sonnets on the same pattern obliged to him and make our effort for the following its rhyming words. Those who empowerment of his noble cause which will could not write according to the given verse take us to a new world.” were allowed to present any Ghair tarhi Sabih Bukhari appreciated the contribution poem. Ajmal Bishami also presented his of BUQ for promoting Urdu in Qatar. He works on the occasion. also thanked Mansoor Azmi for his great Around 20 poets took part in the event, contribution for BUQ.

Doha College students win big at Karate Foundation for Children’s Cup 2019

Yusuf Wali, a student of Grade IV at Doha College, recently became multiple champion by bagging Kumite, second in the individual U10 Kumite and second in the U16 individual Kata. four gold medals and two silver medals in the fourth Karate Foundation for Children’s Cup 2019 Malek Elasskary, also a student of Grade IV at Doha College, also won a bronze medal at the event. Championship, one of the world’s most prestigious and competitive karate tournaments, in “For months before the tournament, I trained for many hours each day, both in karate and fitness. Georgia. Around 1,300 competitors from 20 diff erent countries participated in the competition. I played 14 matches, including in the U16 category. I thought that I might get bronze and silver Yusuf came first in two individual U10 Kata events, first in the U10 team Kata, first in the U10 team medals, but I put a lot of eff ort and I got gold in the end,” said Yusuf.

Malek Elasskary Yusuf Wali QSTP organises QampTech

Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), part of Qatar Foundation Research, Development, and and mathematics (STEM) activities. Innovation (QF RDI), recently organised an event ‘QampTech’ to igniting the imagination of young Yosouf Abdulrahman Saleh, Executive Director of QSTP, said, “Through QampTech, we have created a students and take them on a discovery of science and technology. space for students where they can experiment with, and explore, science through application. In doing During ‘QampTech’, students took on the role of creators, innovators and builders, coming together to so, QSTP reiterates its dedication to nurturing innovative mind-sets from a young age. The unique and understand real-life technological and industrial problems, and ways of solving them through applied interesting themes of this year’s activities highlight our emphasis on STEM while having fun with these sciences for a sustainable future. The event introduced 40 students from primary schools in Qatar, subjects.” including Qatar Academy Sidra and Doha British School, to the elements of architectural design, QampTech was organised around two main themes, including Mission to Mars and Future City, and sustainability, renewable energy, and agriculture through a variety of science, technology, engineering, across four zones, including Make It and Take it, Tinker with Science, Fablab and Masters of Making. Thursday, April 4, 2019 GULF TIMES 7 COMMUNITY NIA elects new off ice bearers

North Indians’ Association (NIA), a socio cultural organisation affiliated with Indian Cultural Secretary; Sandeep Arya, Joint Secretary; Lalit Pandey, Treasurer; Chandra Gururani, Cultural Centre, under the aegis of Embassy of India, recently elected its new managing committee. Secretary; Shalini Tiwari, Sports Secretary; Renu Malhotra, Members Relationship Secretary; The newly elected NIA Managing Committee recently met P Kumaran, Ambassador of India, Anshu Jain, Rakesh Gupta and Dapinder Sunny, Executive Members; Sudhir Gupta, Chairman and briefed him about the prospect plans of NIA. The new office bearers of NIA, include of Advisory Committee; and Harish Kanjani, and Mukesh Singh, member of Advisory Durgesh Gupta, President; Himanshu Agrarwal, Vice President; Rajneesh Shastri, General Committee.

Nasser Al Ali Enterprises felicitates hard working employees

Nasser Al Ali Enterprises, an IOS certified company, recently awarded its 50 employees of The employees work in the construction wing of the company. Speaking on the occasion, the various nationalities, including Nepali, Indian and Bangladeshi with each 5 gram gold coin. The employees said, “Nasser is our employer and friend; he has made a mark in our life.” employees were felicitated for their performance on the working site. – Text and photos by Usha Wagle Gautam

IIS conducts two-day refresher programme

Ideal Indian School (IIS) recently conducted a two-day refresher programme for its faculty members. The first day was dedicated to the department wise planning of the lesson split up for the year. A team of professionals from Qatar Institute for Speech and Hearing conducted the programme. Sathish Chandra Segar, an occupational therapist from QISH, held a workshop for teachers on creating awareness about the behavioural disorders that are common among children, including phobias, temper tantrums and writing and speaking disorders of hyperactivity and attention deficiency. On second day, Shoukath Ali, Principal of IIS, highlighted the new dimensions of education. He emphasised on the need to integrate art, music and drama into subjects. Shaikh Shamim, Assistant Headmaster of Junior Section, held a session about detailing on the preparation of the lesson plan. Akhila Sebastian, a speech pathologist from the QISH, conducted a seminar on the everyday voice care. The programme was co-ordinated by Khatija TC, Assistant Headmistress of the Boys Section. 8 GULF TIMES Thursday, April 4, 2019 COMMUNITY VCUarts Qatar hosts talks by international designers and academics

A number of high profile educators, artists and met Dr Donald N. Baker, Executive Dean of designers, including Diane von Furstenberg, VCUarts Qatar, along with faculty members fashion designer; Dame Natalie Massenet, and students. fashion entrepreneur; David Linley, Earl of Dame Natalie gave a talk at Carnegie Mellon Snowdon; Marta Kuzma, first female Dean University in Qatar. The talk was moderated by of Yale School of Art; Rosanne Somerson, Kimberly Guthrie. Dame Natalie is the former President of Rhode Island School of chairman of the British Fashion Council. She Design; and Shawn Brixey, Dean of Virginia is currently a non-executive co-chairman at Commonwealth University School of the online luxury fashion retail platform Farfetch Arts in Richmond; recently visited Virginia and is the co-founder and co-Managing Commonwealth University School of the Arts Partner of Venture Capital Fund Imaginary in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) at Education City to Ventures. give talks as part of a series of events at Qatar At the panel discussion ‘From the art school Foundation. to the art world: preparing a new generation Diane von Furstenberg gave a talk at VCUarts of artists, designers and art professionals Qatar’s Atrium as part of the #QatarCreates, for the future’ panellists, including Rosanne series of events to celebrate the opening Somerson, Shawn Brixey, Marta Kuzma, and of the National Museum of Qatar. She also David Linley discussed how art education met faculty and students from VCUarts has changed since the establishment of Qatar’s fashion design programme where the first art academies some centuries she answered their questions and gave them back, and what new fields of instruction, advice about the fashion industry. She talked courses or pedagogical approaches need about what inspired her to create and who her to be integrated into existing academic influences were when she was starting out. programmes. The talk was moderated by Kimberly Guthrie, The panel discussion was also a part of the VCUarts Qatar’s Interim Chair of Fashion #QatarCreates and was moderated by Dr Design. Jelena Trkulja, Director of Education at Qatar “The most important relationship in life is the Museums. one you have with yourself and as long as you “The trends that we’re seeing now is that have that, and you own it, you make a mistake, technology is having an enormous impact on own it, face it, deal with it. Your imperfections, arts education, hybridisation, collaboration, all your imperfections, they become assets,” social practice, social justice, and social media, said Diane which is also giving access to distribution Dame Natalie Massenet, the fashion channels that artists never had before. A entrepreneur and former journalist who gallery system or a museum system is very founded the designer fashion portal Net-a- diff erent than being able to have access to Porter, was given a tour of the university and millions of people,” said Dean Brixey.

MES reopens for new academic year

MES Indian School has recently reopened for Grade I-XII for the academic year 2019-20. The new academic session for the KG classes is scheduled to commence on April 7. Earlier, as a part of the preparation for the new academic session, 2019-20, the school conducted a five-day activity- oriented workshop and planning session on the preparation of annual pedagogical plans for the teachers, which aimed at empowering teachers to be more futuristic about the planning of scholastic and co-scholastic activities besides being resourceful about their profession, especially in areas of eff ective classroom transactions. Section and department wise interactive sessions were also organised in order to brief teachers about plans and corresponding modification eff ected in the academic programme of the school for the ensuing academic year. Among other things, teachers were briefed the preparation of assignments and worksheets. Teachers were actively involved in various academic-related activities, finalising and distributing split-up syllabus for the new academic session and receiving ERP training. “The new academic session commences with a high note as students’ turnout is remarkably high welcome the session. The school is fortunate enough to have highly motivated teaching fraternity alongside electronically enhanced e-learning content exploration to facilitate students to undergo a rich educational experience,” said Hameeda Kadar, Principal of MES. Thursday, April 4, 2019 GULF TIMES 9 OFFBEAT COMMUNITY Zines of the ‘90s making an unlikely comeback When the Internet arrived on the scene, many predicted the end of zine culture. Several decades later, it appears they were wrong, writes Hannah Chinn

LOW BUDGET: Short for magazines or fanzines, zines are low-budget publications, usually homemade and self-published, often covering a niche topic or interest. STORED: Zines are kept in boxes in the Zine Library at the Soapbox.

atie Haegele describes has been producing and collecting format’s continuing appeal. herself as an accidental zines, immersed in her own version Grigoropol actually frames them as zine librarian. of that community. She met her a ‘retaliation towards web culture.’ It started in 2004: husband, Joe Carlough, at a zine Pablo Alarcon Jr, a senior at a trade here, a mail trade. Temple University’s Tyler School of Korder there. Deadpan drawings. The founder of the Philly Zine Art, disagrees. He thinks there’s a Animal-themed comics. A half- Fest, Casey Grabowski, died in future for both digital and analogue sheet booklet with mimeographed January after battling cancer. media in the zine world. photos of fountain drinks called I But long-time zine maker Dre The zines he’s made combine Love Soda. By the time she and her Grigoropol says she sees the event, both digital processing and husband stopped to count, they’d which features 70-plus exhibitors traditional printmaking technique; collected more than a thousand annually, continuing for years. they’re accompanied by spoken zines. “Philadelphia is one of the word poetry and found audio. Now she keeps them displayed on centres of zine culture,” she adds. “Half my zine is on the internet bookshelves and nestled in boxes, “So much has started here.” and half needs to be held in your crowded in a room on the fi rst fl oor Over the years, new resources hand for the full experience,” of her home in East Falls. for zine makers and traders have he explains. “One doesn’t feel Short for magazines or cropped up in Philly. Take the complete without the other.” fanzines, zines are low-budget Soapbox, a West Philly community Spaces like the EFZZR and the publications, usually homemade print shop and library co-founded Soapbox inspire similar collections and self-published, often covering by Mary Tasillo and Charlene at places like Kelly Writers House, a a niche topic or interest. They Kwon. Their collection started with resource centre at the University of originated in the 1960s, when punk two shoeboxes of zines. Seven years Pennsylvania. For Miami transplant and DIY aesthetics produced a later, they’ve catalogued 2,500 and KWH zine librarian Alyson Del prolifi c underground publication titles and are still counting. Pino, the collection has opened her subculture, and re-emerged in “Things just came out of the eyes to the Philly zine community, the 1990s, when the riotgrrrl GEEK: Mary Tasillo looks over one the very first zines she created in the Zine woodwork,” Tasillo says. which she describes as ‘passionate,’ movement sparked their revival. Library at the Soapbox. Zine readers and writers at the ‘funny,’ and ‘kind of grimy.’ When the Internet arrived on the Soapbox span a full age range, For Del Pino, the zine format is scene, many predicted the end of to the medium. That summer, she across time and space, based on college students, mid-career inseparable from the community zine culture. Several decades later, printed a stack and brought them to shared interests or identities. Their artists, folks nearing retirement it fosters. “There’s something to it appears they were wrong. the Philly Zine Fest. Begun in 2002, accessibility empowered writers and a variety of experience. “We’re be said for materiality,” she adds. Haegele calls her collection the the Zine Fest was one of the fi rst whose voices might otherwise really interested in making what “When you read a zine, you get East Falls Zine Reading Room. small-press fairs in the country. It go unrepresented in mainstream we’re doing accessible,” Tasillo this raw glimpse into the life of the With more than 1,200 titles and a was also Haegele’s fi rst step into a media, women, youth and people adds. person who made it.” series of readings and performance world she didn’t know existed. of colour. Makers often listed their She turns a brown paper booklet Over the years, Haegele has events, it’s living proof of the zine’s “I knew zines were a way to share mailing addresses in the zine, over in her hands. “I process a lot watched new generations of staying power. your words and your art with the meaning readers and writers could through making things ... zines are students like Del Pino rediscover As a teenager in the ’90s, Haegele world,” she says. “I didn’t know it share everything from health tips a reminder to not bellyache over the medium. It’s having a moment grew up familiar with zines. But was an entire community.” to music suggestions. Exchange every decision.” now, she says. she didn’t produce one herself Before social media, instant built intimacy, and intimacy built In the digital age, many zine Then again, she adds, “zines until 2003, when found poetry and messaging, and personal blogs, community. makers see both accessibility never really went away.” – Philly. cut-and-paste styles led her back zines served to connect people For the past 15 years, Haegele and tangibility as the key to the com/TNS 10 GULF TIMES Thursday, April 4, 2019 COMMUNITY PHOTO ESSAY

Photos by Ram Chand Sheep story: In the serene green, grazing peacefully

The outlander brown lamb, in a flock of black ones, gazes into the lens with all that gentleness and tenderness in nature, somewhere on the country-side, Shamal, Al Noman Area, defining how the land untouched by humans for construction or any other purposes encompases life in its full form. It ceases to be just another moment, when you forget it’s right in the middle of the desert. Something spectacular, green – grass, being bitten off by the furry creature. Lamb symbolises peace and innocent mode of being with no interest in the difficult, nightmarish or problematic aspects of life. The photograph is all about expression, uncluttered with the mental baggage, that is all about experiencing joy in everything, without finding something too special. Going along the way with its flock, without any fuss, or questions; in serene, peaceful mind. Where bliss and delight shapes the perception of the photographer, for me the photograph does not provide a completely adequate doctrine, because it fails to account for the presence of suffering and evil in the world. Which is just another side of the same coin. But, if you just intend to see perfection, composition and peace in one photograph – just look at the innocence of the lamb in the photo, covered in a sandy fur, and fall in love with the animal creation all over again. It’s time to explore this part of Qatar. — Text by Muhammad Asad Ullah Thursday, April 4, 2019 GULF TIMES 11 TECHNOLOGY COMMUNITY Can smartphones bring inner peace? Apps for meditation are experiencing a boom in popularity, with one of the most popular, Headspace, expanding beyond the English-language market. By Jenny Tobie

MEDITATION: The app, Headspace, focuses on various diff erent goals of meditation, from improving sleep and CO-FOUNDER: Andy Puddicombe is one of the co-founders of the popular personal development to reducing stress and anxiety. meditation app.

rom Buddhist monk in the No matter how many books he “We became mindful of some for people to meditate wherever Himalayas to successful read or how hard he tried to distract amazing wellness apps,” the tech they are. start-up founder in himself, “I couldn’t fi nd a sense of giant noted. Guenter Hudasch, a German California: British peace,” he says. As of early 2019, Calm, the mindfulness expert and teacher, entrepreneur Andy He decided to give up his studies second most popular meditation sees things diff erently. “They FPuddicome has had an interesting in sports science and head to the app in the US after Headspace, was certainly have a value if you use career trajectory. Himalayas to learn how to meditate. attracting about 75,000 new users a them regularly,” he says. But that Through his mindfulness app Eventually, in a Tibetan monastery day around the world. requires a certain amount of Headspace, he’s already introduced in northern India, he was ordained The app off ers hundreds of discipline. 42 million people to the practice as a monk. hours of content on a wide range “When you meditate, you will of meditation, or at least that’s Ten years later, Puddicombe of themes. “The aim is to sharpen have certain experiences,” he how many times the app has been returned to London and set up a concentration, strengthen adds. These should be discussed downloaded. meditation studio. During this awareness and develop calmness,” with a teacher from time to time, The 46-year-old is convinced time, he met Rich Pierson, an says Alex Will, chief strategy offi cer especially at the beginning, he says. that meditation makes the world advertising professional on the for Calm. In addition, he believes the a better place. “If we are more verge of burnout. They pooled Many of the apps off er a free experience of meditating in a group compassionate to ourselves, we are their knowledge of meditation and trial version. For those who want is often more powerful than doing it more compassionate to the people marketing to found Headspace. to unlock extra features, there’s the alone with an app. around us,” he says. The idea was an instant hit. option of a monthly subscription, Johannes Michalak, a Puddicombe’s company is Hollywood stars such as Ryan in the case of Headspace, around 13 mindfulness expert and professor headquartered in Los Angeles Reynolds, Gwyneth Paltrow and euros a month (14.5 dollars), or an of psychology at Witten/Herdecke and employs 260 people. And it’s Emma Watson were among those annual subscription of 95 euros. University, sees things similarly. getting bigger, since mid-March, singing the praises of the app. Isn’t it a bit ironic that people To begin with, he was sceptical the company’s products have also Puddicombe, who now lives with are looking to their smartphones to about meditation apps. “But I have been available in a second language, his wife and child in Los Angeles, fi nd inner peace? The very devices since seen the positive eff ects – German. achieved a certain celebrity status that seem to constantly speed up that many people can get access The app focuses on various thanks to appearances on talk our lives and distract us from what’s to meditation and mindfulness diff erent goals of meditation, from shows like Jimmy Fallon and Ellen really important? through these apps.” improving sleep and personal DeGeneres. Puddicombe grins; it’s clear For some people, that will be all development to reducing stress The original goal of bringing he can see the irony. But, “I they need. But for those who want and anxiety. By the end of the year, mindfulness to as many people don’t believe that a smartphone to delve deeper into meditation, the company’s products will be as possible may have become is stressful,” he says. “It’s our or anyone with psychiatric available in fi ve languages. somewhat diluted. But meditation behaviour around it and our problems, he recommends more Puddicombe fi rst tried apps are big business. relationship with it.” intensive support in the form of a meditation with his mother when Apple named ‘self-care’ as its app For him, smartphones are a mindfulness programme or therapy. IN-TREND: There’s been a boom in he was 11, he says. When he was in trend of the year for 2018, name- “platform through which we can The bottom line, according to popularity for meditation apps, which his early 20s, several people he knew checking meditation apps such as reach people where they are.” In his Michalak: “Apps are not a magic promise inner peace with just your were killed in a traffi c accident. 10% Happier, Calm and Shine. case, that means making it possible cure.” – DPA phone. 12 GULF TIMES Thursday, April 4, 2019 COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC

Science Matters Robotic telescopes In a very dark sky, details of the Milky Way, work in dark places galaxies and 6th Hundreds of professional and amateur astronomers are magnitude stars are doing serious observing with remote-control telescopes – visible to the unaided eye set up under dark skies far from their back yards. A dark site, far from town Cities – and even small towns – create light pollution, interfering Lights of cities and with astronomers’ view of the sky towns, seen from orbit 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 Very Sky light scale Dark dark

Roof A group observatory slides Dozens of sophisticated, private Telescope set up open telescopes are set up at for astrophotography observatory; their owners pay observatory for space, sevices Telescopes Sliding roof protects telescopes, computers and data communications Telescopes controlled remotely Their owners can point and operate Digital them remotely via the Internet; camera their digital images flow into a data storage system Colored light filters Accessing images Observatory is linked to a high-speed fiber optical data line; lets users see their images immediately Typical speed: 100 megbytes per second Cooled to aid sensitivity Source: Lloyd Smith of Deep Sky West Remote Motors turn tube to follow Observatory (Rowe, N.M.); NASA; telescope photo courtesy of Richard Higby Astrophotography stars, move to new target Graphic: Helen Lee McComas, Tribune News Service Thursday, April 4, 2019 GULF TIMES 13 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Iodised salt not necessarily good for your health

also iodised but the iodine content with laziness, crying, pot belly, and By Brij Khandelwal gets washed off , thereby minimising low intellect; excess iodine intake as or avoiding iodine in the salt. a result of universal salt iodisation “The results indicated the people could be causing attention defi cit hile universal consuming iodised salt were more at hyperactivity disorder in children, iodisation of salt risk of suff ering high blood pressure the fi ndings showed. helped control than the ones who were using pebble Though the WHO stated iodine defi ciency salt, washed before use,” Chauhan “monitoring of sodium (salt) intake disorders, it could told IANS. and iodine intake at country level Wbe increasing the risk of high blood Excess consumption of iodine can is needed to adjust salt iodisation pressure — a leading cause of heart also cause various forms of rhythm over time”, India failed to monitor it, ailments — especially in the elderly, disturbances in heart, and lead to Chauhan said. says retired Col Rajesh Chauhan, in precipitating angina and heart failure. “In my book, and from the his latest book. To control iodine defi ciency disorders references that I have used therein The book, titled “Could universal around the world, the World Health taken from the domain of the British iodisation of salt be the chief cause Organisation (WHO) in a statement Medical Journal, we have raised of hypertension assuming epidemic in August 1994 stressed universal the possibility of a global rise in proportion?”, has been published by salt iodisation as the principal public the incidence and prevalence of Lap Lambert Berlin, Germany. health measure for eliminating Iodine hypertension, possibly due to regular The book is based on a recent Defi cient Disorders. consumption of iodised salt,” he study on nearly 100 elderly patients Since 1992, India has been using noted. He stressed the need for more in Agra, UP. iodised salt, irrespective of the research, which must include the The study included patients fact whether the region is actually overarching necessity of continuing needed at national and global levels, salt must also be made available in who were consuming iodised salt defi cient of iodine or not. with enforcing consumption of and supplemental iodine is to be the market, which has been missing regularly, and were compared with While iodine defi ciency in iodised salt even in regions that are used only in areas that are defi cient from the shelves for past two decades another group who were not using children can raise a condition called not defi cient in iodine. in iodine. and more, Chauhan suggested. — iodised salt but pebble salt, which is cretinism, usually characterised Immediate corrective steps are More importantly, non-iodised IANS

ARIES TAURUS GEMINI March 21 — April 19 April 20 — May 20 May 21 — June 20

You can look forward to a new sense of purpose and higher morale, If you’ve been thinking about going back to school for a degree of If you’ve been thinking of buying a new home, Gemini, this is an Aries. Ambition, diligence, and a lot of hard work could pay off now. some kind, Taurus, this is the time to start the process. Success and excellent time to do it. Surprising developments might clear the You could soon be raking in the benefits. You’re feeling strong, fit, good fortune through your own initiative and through increasing way for you. Success through investments of any kind, particularly and physically healthy, as if you could seize the world in your two your skills are definitely indicated now. A journey you’ve wanted to real estate, looms on the horizon. A young visitor may come to your hands. This is a great time to take the next step in your personal take for some time may finally be possible, as could achievements in home today, as well as an important letter or call. In the evening, visit relationship. the fields of writing and speaking. Go for it! an older friend or relative. CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

You may feel a little out of sorts today, Cancer. Perhaps you indulged Your hard work is finally paying off , Leo. A phone call bring good You’re a hard worker, Virgo, with a good business head and strong a bit too much last night. However, some exciting phone calls at news to you. You should be filled with a new sense of optimism, practical sense. However, success in the past few weeks might midday might perk you up, perhaps good news from a friend or enthusiasm, and hope. Work will be more of a pleasure than a have you thinking about doing something more innovative to colleague. A change in your financial state is definitely indicated, as drag, because you have something to look forward to. Changes are earn your money, possibly something to do with the opportunities is the resulting boost to your self-esteem. All looks wonderful for you definitely in the wind for you, so be prepared for just about anything! surrounding the Internet. Business and personal communication of in the months to come! all kinds should come to you during this auspicious period. LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

Some strange phone calls might come your way, perhaps from A long-awaited and very welcome call from an older friend might The near future looks great for you, with auspicious omens for people you don’t know. Investments in real estate, particularly the finally come your way today, Scorpio. News that a goal you’ve been success and good fortune regarding career and money. All the home, should pay off now. You could also decide to make a new working toward has finally been reached could come as well. You’re hard work that you’ve done in the past may finally be paying off . investment in this area. Follow your hunches, Libra. Don’t let your optimistic about the future. The ambition that has served you well Advancement is on the horizon, as well as increased income and usual logic get in the way! Your mind is especially receptive to in the past will continue to do so. You will probably entertain some much happiness. All signs are that you won’t stop there. You’re more messages from other realms now. Make the most of it. visitors. It will mean work, but you will have a great time. likely to continue working toward new, more challenging goals. CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

Today’s celestial energy could find you making plans to travel for Financial benefits may come your way through channels you’ve A friend might approach you with the idea of forming a partnership, pleasure or possibly business. A young friend or relative might never dreamed of. This could have to do with investments, and even propose drawing up a tentative agreement. This is accompany you. You’re likely to accomplish whatever you hope to settlements, or insurance benefits. Pleasant recurring dreams may definitely something worth looking into, Pisces, although you should on the trip, Capricorn. All signs are for success and good fortune. come your way, bringing insights to your past and giving rise to new consider all the facts before committing. Success and good fortune You might even aim for a new position. This is an excellent period to self-awareness. Someone from the past you haven’t seen for a long are definitely in the works, whether through this partnership or not. open up your own business. time may suddenly reappear. This should be a pleasant surprise. Expect an important call from a partner. 14 GULF TIMES Thursday, April 4, 2019 COMMUNITY REVIEWS A genre of drama mixed with excitement, emotional connection

so satisfyingly old school (watch Larry Marley, a based-on-reality By Kenneth Turan for how inmates clandestinely IRA member who’s been in prison pass messages hand to hand) it for a decade and is played with a could have come from Warner compelling but low-key intensity aze is a terrific Bros.’ 1930s slate. by Tom Vaughan-Lawlor. little movie; it Directed with a sense of crisp Feeling purposeless and at really is. Named purpose by Ireland’s Stephen loose ends after the failed hunger after its setting, a Burke, Maze’s behind-the-scenes strike, Marley is determined to prison in Northern look at post-war Europe’s largest do something in tribute to those IrelandM considered to be all but mass breakout benefits first from who died and to stick a finger in escape-proof, it’s a throwback the political overlay that is the the eye of the British at the same to the days when character- core of its narrative. time. The idea of a major prison driven genre dramas that mixed Maze, sometimes known break is just the ticket. excitement and emotional as Long Kesh and located Needing to get a sense of connection could still command outside Belfast, was specifically the contours of Maze, Marley an audience. constructed to hold prisoners measures distances in his mind But in today’s world, where during the brutal three-decades- everywhere he goes. successful independent features long conflict called the Troubles. Realising he will have to get take either the horror or the high These inmates included both outside his cell block to do this school route, Maze is the kind Loyalist Protestants who wanted effectively, he does something IRA of film moviegoers may not feel to remain part of the United prisoners have never done, which compelled to go to anymore. Kingdom and Catholic members is volunteer for menial work like Which is a shame. of the Irish Republican Army who mopping floors. Even its distributor, the small wanted to join the Republic of This ploy will also involve but adventurous Lightyear Ireland. befriending Gordon Close (Barry Entertainment, seems be It was the IRA members who Ward), one of the prison warders concerned about box office, going caused the British the most in charge of his block by using to the trouble of subtitling the difficulty, insisting on being blarney on the order of a joking interesting directions. commonality is a crack in the wall film out of worry that the mild treated as political prisoners, not “my wife tells me I’m a dab hand Both men, as it turns out, have that kept the Troubles alive for so Irish accents might be hard to criminals, and, as Maze begins, with a mop.” wives and children on the outside long. follow. (They’re not.) having just come off a pair of This leads to the other aspect and difficulties with them that are When you add in the tip-top Lightyear’s passion for the related actions. that makes Maze so involving, and rooted in the seemingly endless tension created by the legendary film is understandable, because These would be the “dirty that is the psychological dynamic conflict. break itself, not to mention the Maze has several elements that protest,” which involved not between these characters. There’s no real friendship on verisimilitude of shooting in a smartly combine to ensure that showering, using a lavatory or For though the relationship tap here – Maze is too realistic recently decommissioned prison, what happens on the screen is of cutting hair, and a hunger strike in between the guard (unlike Marley, about the complexities of the you end up with a small film with potentially wide interest. which 10 IRA members fasted to a composite) and the prisoner situation for that – but the an impressive impact. At its core, Maze is a classic their deaths. begins in subterfuge on Marley’s interactions between these two Those who take a chance on based-on-fact prison-break Introduced cutting his hair as a part and undisguised hostility men are surprisingly emotional. Maze will not be disappointed. – movie. Though it’s set in 1983, it’s sign that those actions are over is on Close’s, it ends up going in And even the brief realisation of Los Angeles Times/TNS When a couple from the underworld runs afoul of a nation’s progress riveting series of micro-revelations. heart’s often misleading sense of direction. By Michael Phillips Set between 2001 and 2018, Zhangke’s The ferry ride Qiao takes down the drama takes its narrative lead from Qiao, Yangtze, after she’s released from prison, surrounded by variously unreliable, takes place around the time the Three he exquisite Ash is Purest White unscrupulous men. The early scenes are Gorges Dam was being built and changing owes some of its richness to marvels of concentrated atmosphere. Qiao the landscape forever. The fi lmmaker made the movies, particularly crime and her man live large in Datong, near an entire (and truly special) fi lm, Still Life, and gangster movies in various Mongolia. The local coal industry’s on the about that same region. Ash is Purest White languages. The rest of it comes ropes, but in their cafe, where men smoke and concerns more than Qiao’s story, but the fromT the poetic eye of writer-director smack their mahjong tiles, Qiao’s lover, Bin, character – as played by Tao – is so quietly Jia Zhangke, who shows us what he feels comports himself as an honourable big-shot, spellbinding, the movie doesn’t need much about the real world as represented by settling a dispute between two men over else. contemporary China – its telling details, money the jiang hu way. Meaning: There’s a On Ash is Purest White Zhangke worked creased faces and panoramic visions of code of behaviour and ethics to be followed. with cinematographer Eric Gautier using progress bulldozing its way into the future, at But Bin has enemies. Ash is Purest White a variety of formats, ranging from low-fi a great many people’s expense. caps its fi rst third with remarkably effi cient video to 16 and 35 millimetre fi lm and high- This is one of Zhangke’s peak plotting and some sharply staged violence. defi nition digital. Zhangke’s previous fi lm, achievements: pure cinema, and a story of Here’s where it starts sounding like a ’40s Mountains May Depart, was a three-part the underworld unlike anything you’ve seen Hollywood gangster movie: After a rival gang saga covering 26 years and taking wilder before. attacks Bin, Qiao takes the fall; a few warning chronological leaps into the future. The For much of his career Zhangke has shots from an illegally owned fi rearm, and design, execution and human element of collaborated with the actress (and, since suddenly she’s in the slammer, lying to save Ash is Purest White feels less showy and 2012, the director’s wife) Zhao Tao. Ash is her man from a long prison sentence. more, well, pure. The movie’s often weirdly Purest White hands Tao one of the very best Five years later, she’s out of prison, funny, too, as when Qiao, talking to a snippy screen opportunities. As Qiao, the clear-eyed and goes searching for Bin, who has been corporate factotum through a sliding glass a diff erent kind of feast. If there’s a director lover of a provincial gangster played to steely mysteriously silent during that time. What door, stops the door from closing with her alive whose compositions breathe more perfection by Liao Fan, she makes the simple she fi nds, and where Zhangke takes the story plastic water bottle. easily, and move a story forward with a more act of listening – to heartbreaking news, or from there, to the present day, becomes a Some fi lms present a feast for the eye with stimulating variety of visual strategies, let me to her most confl icted inner thoughts – a plaintive rumination on time and the human great fl ourish and extravagance. This one is know. – Chicago Tribune/TNS Thursday, April 4, 2019 GULF TIMES 15 SHOWBIZ COMMUNITY De De Pyaar De is Ajay’s new venture

By Subhash K. Jha

hat better gift for CHARMING: Ross Butler will play Trevor Pike in the on his sequel. 50th birthday than De De Pyar De? The Butler joins To All the Boy sequel trailer was released Won the actor-producer’s birthday on 13 Reasons Why actor Ross Butler, who plays Tuesday, and one can’t really think of Zach Dempsey and originated the role of Reggie on a more opportune vehicle to cross 50. Riverdale, will play Trevor Pike, Peter Kavinsky’s best In what could possibly be the most friend in the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before sequel, well-timed fi lm release of all times, streaming website Netfl ix confi rmed. Ajay plays a 50-year man Ashish, The news of his casting was accompanied with a who falls in love with a 20-something photograph, reports eonline.com girl Ayesha, who comes across as “We’re thrilled to announce that the endlessly remarkably rude in the trailer. charming Ross Butler has joined the cast of the To All When someone comments that the Boys sequel as Trevor Pike,” producer Matt Kaplan Ajay’s wife, played by the ethereal said. , doesn’t look her age, Rakul He added: “His real-life friendship with Noah brings Preet Singh, playing the jealous a natural chemistry and great rapport to the set and girlfriend, retorts: “Oh yes, she does.” we can’t wait for fans to see this friendship play out Ahem. onscreen.” My sympathies for the wife. The The real-life friendship between Butler and Centineo fact that Ayesha is played by Rakul, was on full display when the two attended a Halloween who is pitched against Tabu in the party together in 2018. Butler was dressed as X-Men fi lm, does make the battle between character Wolverine and Centineo as Gaston from Ajay’s ‘current’ and ‘ex’ seem unequal. Beauty and the Beast. Having said that, the trailer just The To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before sequel is now washes way all the misgivings as it in production. In addition to Centineo and Butler, the plunges into a goofy, bumpy, rollicking movie stars Lana Condor as Lara Jean, Janel Parrish as joyride for Ajay as he embarks on an Margot, John Corbett as Dr. Covey, Anna Cathcart as aff air that everyone – from his ex-wife Kitty and Jordan Fisher as John Ambrose McClaren. – (Tabu), to his father (Alok Nath) to his IANS mother (Madhumalti Kapoor) to his two grownup children, hate. Then there is Javed Jaff rey as a GIFTED: The movie is a gift for Ajay Devgn on his 50th birthday. shrink who nearly gets bashed up by Ajay for suggesting that he, Ajay, is with a woman half his age I have wife and, ahem, Saif and Kareena.” just an aging man with an overactive heard in any fi lm about a mismatched Hopefully, we can add Priyanka spirit. alliance. Remember Madhur Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas to that The sparks fl y swiftly and high Bhandarkar’s Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji? list in the future. In the meanwhile, in the trailer which crackles with When someone asks Ajay in the a big thumbs up to producer-writer humorous quips, and actors who know trailer to name mismatched couples and debut director Akiv their humour chops well enough and who have been able to make a success Ali. The trailer of De De Pyar De lays wind their funny-bones around some of their relationship, he rattles out, out the entire blueprint of the plot and of the pithiest lines and situations “Michael Douglas and Catherine still leaves us hankering for more. – regarding a 50-plus man’s infatuation Zeta-Jones, George Clooney and his IANS KEEN: Graham Norton looks forward to seeing the brilliant talent in the industry rewarded. Luv Ranjan here on Tuesday. Though the age gap has Norton to host BAFTA TV been experimented with as a theme several times in Hindi Awards aft er 15 years cinema – including in Tabu’s very own Cheeni Kum – will there be a time in Hindi fi lms when the female character Comedian and talk show host Graham Norton will will be shown older than her male counterpart? return to anchor the BAFTA Television Awards 15 years Tabu said: “If certain things are accepted in society, then after hosting the event. I think fi lms will refl ect that. I think the older man and He is looking forward to the ceremony on younger woman concept is more widely accepted in the May 12 at the Royal Festival Hall here, reported world and in society, so, we see more of it on-screen. I am hollywoodreporter.com sure that societal choices and the way we live will refl ect in “It has been almost 15 years since I fi rst hosted cinema because cinema is not happening in isolation.” the Television Awards and what a pleasure it is to be When Tabu was asked if she feels that actresses have less returning to host once again. 2018 was a standout year shelf life as compared to actors in today’s time, Ajay chose for television, and I look forward to seeing the brilliant to give an answer. talent in our industry rewarded,” said Norton. He said: “I think this kind of a question is outdated Clare Brown, Director of production at BAFTA, because the time has changed. Today, actresses have more welcomed him and said: “Graham captures the CANDID: Tabu says cinema does not work in isolation. shelf life or as much life as compared to the male actors. hearts of the audience both at home and in the room It’s not true at all and I am sure everybody will agree with and having hosted the ceremony numerous times Cinema refl ects society, says Tabu it. There is no diff erence in shelf life anymore. It was there throughout the years, we look forward to having him on earlier, but now it is not the case. board once again.” Acclaimed actress Tabu, whose upcoming fi lm De De I think Tabu is here, Kajol is here and there are so many Darkly comic assassin thriller Killing Eve has 14 Pyar De is about a 50-year-old man’s relationship with a of them who are still working in fi lms. So, things are nominations, closely followed by the miniseries A Very 26-year-old girl, says cinema does not work in isolation changing.” English Scandal with 12. – IANS and it always refl ects societal choices and concepts. Ajay is returning to a romantic comedy fi lm after a long Tabu was interacting with the media at the trailer launch time. He said it was a fun experience. of De De Pyar De along with her co-actors Ajay Devgn De De Pyaar De, produced by T-Series and , will and , director Akiv Ali and producer release on May 17. – IANS 16 GULF TIMES Thursday, April 4, 2019 COMMUNITY

CANVAS: Zarmik Haladjian, a certified master chef and author of 24 cook books, is an accomplished artist who paints using her fingers. Photos by Ram Chand Art lovers amazed by live painting of Armenian artist

I do not decide what I am going to By Mudassir Raja paint. It depends on my mood and the music I listen to. I enjoyed the live painting with the sweet music.” rt enthusiasts gathered Sharing details about herself, she at Katara’s Building 5 said: “I am an Armenian-Lebanese in amazement when artiste based in Doha. I am also Zarmik Haladjian a chef. I am also an international displayed her skill and judge – a certifi ed international Adexterity while drawing sketch judge in hospitality fi eld. I am also a on a big canvass using pours of certifi ed master chef. I have written her fi ngers. Everyone was excited 24 cooking books. I love to paint, to see the young Armenian artist to cook and to write. I have TV showcasing live painting with her cooking shows. In Qatar, I have my fi ngers using the medium of oil show with Qatar TV. In Ramadan, I paint. will have a daily live cooking show.” The painting exhibit ‘Reverence The excited Stefanie McCollum of Tranquility’ by Zarmik was said: “I am very happy to be here to inaugurated by Dr Khalid bin see the live exhibition by Zarmik. It Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, general manager is lovely to see how she paints live of Katara. with her fi ngers. He was fl anked by Stefanie “I am fascinated to hear from her McCollum, Ambassador of that she incorporates her love of Canada to Qatar. The art lovers cooking in kitchen into her art and and members of the Lebanese INAUGURATION: The exhibition ‘Reverence of Tranquility’ was inaugurated by Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, general how music inspires her. You can community were present at the manager of Katara, third from left. He is flanked by Stefanie McCollum, Ambassador of Canada, second from left, and see Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra inaugural ceremony in large Zarmik Haladjian, fifth from left. members playing live music in the numbers. background. The 12 paintings displayed at through the eyes of others. year. I have painted all pieces using to see many people coming to “I also enjoy her restaurant where the exhibition bespoke of Zarmik’s The art lovers along with the my fi ngers. This is my second my exhibition. The theme of the I go frequently. She also hangs her unique artistic style. The works guests had a tour of the exhibition exhibition in Qatar. It is an honour exhibition is about women and art works in her restaurant. She has express the vibrant spirit and with the artist explaining each for me to show my talents at Katara. especially mothers. Each painting been gracious enough to invite me atmosphere of her culture through work. The real interest of the “I also love to have live art talks about a diff erent story – a today. I think her personality comes the prism of art. gathering was captured by Zarmik entertainment so that people woman. Some I have from my through in her art. You can see her The importance of the artwork is when she started her live painting. can enjoy what techniques I use experiences and others I have based passion and creativity. You can see intense and of momentous value, Everyone was amazed to see how and what kinds of things I paint. on experiences from others. At that she has a theme – a woman – which highlights the importance of quickly and skillfully she painted Actually, it is oil colour painting the end, life is a kind of unity. We in all diff erent forms. women, particularly mothers. her thoughts on the canvass while on the canvass. This is however my have to share ideas, knowledge and What I like is the bold colours As a successful woman, Zarmik enjoying a lively guitar and violin fi rst live art painting exhibition in experiences. Each of my painting and the bold lines and the is captivated and absorbed by music. Qatar. Previously, I have carried live carries a proverb that I wrote for my possibility to interpret what she is portraits and fi gures. She has Talking to Community, Zarmik painting exhibitions in US, India works. If you understand the art, trying to say. She does not layer out always been fascinated by images said: “The exhibition has my and other countries. you can read the abstract paintings explicitly for you. It is implied and and how the world is represented paintings that I have created this “I am very happy and excited about women painted with fi ngers. it is abstract.”